1997 McLaren F1 GT and P1 Prost: Best Cars to See at Goodwood

1997 McLaren F1 GT and 2015 McLaren P1 Prost edition are the biggest stars on display at McLaren's House this weekend. I am talking about company's participation at Goodwood Festival of Speed, of course. Precisely, McLaren has prepared to show models from the Sports Series, Super Series and Ultimate Series as well as the three newly-announced model tiers.

The theme of the festival this year is ‘Flat-out and Fearless' and each of these models are to celebrate it. In other words, every McLaren on display at the even will be an emphasis of a milestone or ‘moment' from company's history. There are even some models which have been prepared to pay tribute to legendary drivers who have driven for the team over the years.

McLaren P1 Prost

Starting with the Ultimate Series, it will be represented by a special P1 model, created by MSO. It will honor Alain Prost, who was a four-time Formula 1 world champion. The livery of the car is inspired by the patriotic French livery of his helmet he worn during the competitions. In other words, the carbon fiber body work of the car is painted in white and includes blue graphics and red highlights.

1997 McLaren F1 GT

McLaren F1 GT is probably the most exclusive car on display at the event. It represents the Heritage division of MSO and is probably one of the rarest McLaren road cars ever built. The unit at the GFoS carries chassis number #58F1GT and it has been loaned to McLaren for display.

Why it is so special? The reason for this is that it is one of only three examples that were designed and built to homologate the McLaren F1 GTR ‘Longtail' for GT racing during the 1997 season. Its features livery that mimics the monochrome design of the Formula 1 team during the late 1990s. World titles were secured by the Finnish racing driver Mika Hakkinen in 1998 and 1999.

Super Series

Next is the Super Series will be represented by the limited-run 675LT model. It celebrates Denny Hulme and the company's founder Bruce McLaren, who achieved success together in Formula 1 and the Can-Am series. Later, their dominance became famous under the ‘Bruce and Denny Show' name. Here, the car has been inspired by Hulme's iconic helmet design featuring two black stripes, running front to rear, over contrasting Silica White bodywork. There are also yellow tinted headlamp lenses that echo Hulme's visor.

Furthermore, McLaren 650S Spider completes the model line-up on static display. It is one of the most important models in the Super Series and pays homage to the founder of the team, Bruce McLaren. It is finished in the iconic heritage McLaren Orange. This color is used to match his M7A Formula 1 car in which he claimed the first Formula 1 win for the team in 1968.

McLaren Moment at Le Mans

At last, the fifth ‘McLaren Moment' is showed via McLaren F1 GTR victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. To celebrate this, there will be two models on public display in the Supercar Paddock. These cars will honor two podium finishers.

The first car is the limited edition 650S Le Mans, which has been inspired by the McLaren F1 GTR, #01R, driven by Yannick Dalmas, JJ Lehto and Masanori Sekiya to race victory. The car features Sarthe Grey livery, and is named ‘XP1'. It is characterized by a roof-mounted snorkel, front wing louvres and iconic one-off wheel design.

The second model is another unique McLaren P1 GTR, dressed in iconic yellow and green livery. It mimics the livery of the McLaren F1 GTR chassis #06R, responsible for the third place with the help of the British trio Derek Bell, Justin Bell and Andy Wallace. These two models will be joined by the new McLaren 570S that is going to make a world dynamic premiere at the event.

In other words, Goodwood Festival of Speed is the best place to be this weekend.